Rhode Island Republican Party

Latest Articles

Loughlin, returning from Iraq, faces a tough challenge

Political Science Dept.
John J. Loughlin II — Army Reservist, former state representative, and all-but-official Republican candidate for Congress — is due back in Rhode Island late this month after a seven-month deployment in Iraq. And he'll encounter a political scene quite different from the one he left behind in May.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | December 01, 2011

The plan to turn Rhode Island red

GOP strategist Ken McKay is quietly plotting a data-driven explosion of the state’s one-party rule
The Rhode Island Republican Party's reputation for ineptitude is, by any reasonable measure, richly deserved.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | August 12, 2011

Down ballot drama

Important races to watch in '10
The race for governor and the scramble to replace retiring Representative Patrick J. Kennedy have obsessed Rhode Island's chattering class. But all the talk has obscured an intriguing set of "down ballot" races for lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, and secretary of state.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | March 10, 2010

The next Scott Brown?

John J. Loughlin’s suddenly high-profile campaign to oust Patrick Kennedy
Republican Scott Brown's victory last month in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat has every two-bit GOP hopeful in the Northeast claiming the mantle of the pick-up truck populist.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | February 10, 2010

Does Scott Brown’s victory mean doom for RI Democrats?

Fallout
Republican Scott Brown's stunning victory this week in the race for the late Ted Kennedy's Senate seat in Massachusetts has created something approaching panic in the ranks of Congressional Democrats.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | January 20, 2010

Is the party over for the GOP in RI?

A disastrous election in '08. A depleted war chest. Dismal approval ratings for the outgoing governor. Yet the faithful see hope for a Republican revival
In a state known for its political obsessions, there is remarkably little in the way of rabid protest here.
By DAVID SCHARFENBERG | May 13, 2009

RI ’08: Prelude to 2010

In a national year of change, stasis is likely to prevail at the General Assembly
During a national election season in which “change” remains the dominant motif, Rhode Island politics is locked in a holding pattern marked by a Democratic stranglehold on state and federal offices.
By IAN DONNIS | October 31, 2008

Picaresque journey: 30 years in Rhode Island

By IAN DONNIS | October 23, 2008

Why Rhode Island is hurting

Bad days are here, and there is little in the past to make the future seem hopeful
If the nation’s fiscal crisis confirms that Rhode Island isn’t alone in facing serious economic woes, the state doesn’t suffer from a lack of other challenges.
By IAN DONNIS | October 02, 2008

Segal and Fierro lead the way for the General Assembly

Endorsements
As Rhode Islanders go to the polls for a primary election next Tuesday, September 9, there are some key votes to be made for progressive legislators.
By PHOENIX STAFF | September 04, 2008

A field guide to activism in Rhode Island

Issues + organizing = real-world experience
If you’re interested in becoming an agent of change, identify a cause close to your heart and connect with one of the groups working on it.
By MEGHAN GRADY | August 28, 2008

Remembering a Rhode Island icon

Jefferson Thomas was in the vanguard of the Providence underground
There was never anyone remotely like Jeff Thomas.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | July 30, 2008

Can’t anybody here play this game?

Rhode Island remains trapped between economic distress and missed opportunities
The need to reinvent Rhode Island’s economic infrastructure — which remains anemic compared with most of its neighbors in New England — is more urgent than ever.
By IAN DONNIS | May 21, 2008

Avedisian, Trillo challenge Manning for GOP post

Talking politics
Since the RNC is “basically a seniority-based organization,” he says, a change in the post would mean “we’re going to [have to] start all over again.”
By IAN DONNIS | April 30, 2008

Shocker: RI GOP in disarray

A real two-party system requires an effective minority party
An internecine battle has broken out between the couple dozen or so people who claim to be members of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | March 19, 2008

Patrick Lynch goes for broke

In gunning for Governor, the term-limited AG has little to lose
One small basketball photo lurks inconspicuously on a far wall in the spacious South Main Street office of Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch.
By IAN DONNIS | January 23, 2008

The year of impending doom

A softening economy and the $450 million state deficit point to a painful 2008
This hardy old New England state should be able to cope with a little snow, right? Not so much...
By IAN DONNIS | December 19, 2007

Why RI Republicans fail

Quick to blame Democrats, the local GOP can’t seem to find candidates or a long-term plan of its own
Providence Journal op-ed columnist Edward Achorn has made repeated reference to the apparent “learned helplessness” of Rhode Islanders.
By IAN DONNIS | November 14, 2007

Democratic pig pile

Hillary’s victimization rap is Clintonian politics at its best and worst
Oh, are the other Democratic candidates “piling on” poor little Hillary Clinton?
By PHILLIPE AND JORGE | November 07, 2007

Will King have a hangover? Plus, Palangio,RI Nexus, and Chafee

Politics + media
King’s unsuccessful primary campaign featured sharp criticism of some leading legislative Democrats.
By IAN DONNIS | September 26, 2007

Chafee bolts; Gudrais departs; GOP reaches out

Politics + media
Despite his characteristic candor, Linc Chafee remains a somewhat enigmatic figure.
By IAN DONNIS | September 19, 2007

How screwed are we?

Elected officials and pundits offer their take on rhode island’s budget predicament
At a time when most state budgets are flush with surpluses, Rhode Island’s fiscal house remains in disrepair.
By IAN DONNIS | June 28, 2007

How high can Gordon Fox go?

The progressive practices a balancing act in the socially conservative RI legislature
Although House Majority Leader Gordon D. Fox considers himself a Red Sox fan, he hopes the Yankees win the World Series this year.
By IAN DONNIS | May 09, 2007

Last Republican standing

Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian is a rare bright spot for the RI GOP
Last year, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian made a very smart decision by standing pat.
By IAN DONNIS | March 07, 2007

Cicione remains odds-on favorite as new GOP chair

Talking politics
Giovanni Cicione says he has not learned of any rivals since recently winning the support of Governor Donald L. Carcieri.
By IAN DONNIS | February 21, 2007

Carcieri’s challenges

The governor faces a tougher political landscape in his second term
As Governor Donald L. Carcieri celebrated his 64th birthday on December 16, he could take satisfaction in any number of things.
By IAN DONNIS | December 27, 2006

Cicione emerges as contender for GOP chairmanship

Talking politics
Giovanni Cicione, a lawyer and Republican activist who paid his dues by running against US Representative Patrick J. Kennedy in 1996, has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Patricia Morgan as chairman of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
By IAN DONNIS | December 27, 2006

Rhode Island in ’06: same as it ever was

Democrats on top, a casino quest, and a dose of corruption
Imagine a year when the Narragansett Indians were energetically pitching a casino, cynical Rhode Islanders had plenty of reason to reinforce their jaundiced views, and state house Democrats maintained the upper hand over hapless Republican opponents without even breaking a sweat.
By IAN DONNIS | December 20, 2006

The national GOP could take some tips from Chafee

Last of the moderates
Given Washington’s prevailing partisan gridlock in the late ’90s, George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign pledges — to be a uniter, not a divider, and to pursue a humble foreign policy — struck Lincoln Chafee as harbingers of something better.
By IAN DONNIS | November 15, 2006

Déjà vu all over again for RI GOP

Carcieri faces failure in having fostered a real two-party system
Lincoln Chafee should be the next head of the Rhode Island Republican Party.
By IAN DONNIS | November 15, 2006